Russ Abdrakhmanov

Founding Leader, neKey

Russ is deeply committed to making a positive impact through technology, leading his team with a focus on innovation and tangible results for over 15 years. His work spans digital transformation, process automation, cloud technology, and cybersecurity, all driven by dedication to integrity and excellence.

With a diverse background in physics, economics, and computer science, coupled with an ethical hacker mindset, Russ excels in developing processes and optimizing efficiency. His experience ranges from app development, web design, and marketing, to architecture, automotive, and non-profit sectors, contributing significantly to the growth and improvement of various teams and businesses.

Russ believes in thinking outside the box and approaching challenges with a goal-oriented mindset. Whether designing solutions, building effective teams, or adopting new habits, he continuously seeks opportunities for growth and improvement.

Currently serving in a leadership role at neKey, a cybersecurity focused managed technology services provider in the Greater Philadelphia Region, Russ is eager to share his experiences and insights. He looks forward to collaborating with others on a journey of exploration and insight to shape a better future together.

Ashley Barber

Senior IT Program Manager, NationaLease

Ashley Barber is a distinguished Senior IT Program Manager with extensive experience in blending technical expertise, project management skills, and business acumen to lead and deliver complex technical projects successfully. Ashley has been with NationaLease since 2023, where she spearheads initiatives including the development of a centralized database for National Account records, the creation of customer-facing dashboards, and the automation of reporting processes. Prior to NationaLease, Ashley dedicated 21 years to GEICO, where she excelled in roles such as Technical Program Manager, Product Owner, Agile Delivery Lead, and leading Command Center Operations. Her tenure at GEICO was marked by her leadership within IT, change controls, and the company-wide rollout of multi-factor authentication, as well as overseeing numerous cyber security and IT audits to ensure compliance and transparency. Additionally, she played a pivotal role in data analysis and strategic initiatives, driving key business decisions and optimizing processes. Ashley consistently demonstrated her ability to align technical projects with business objectives, foster innovation, and drive continuous improvement. She holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from Wesleyan College and is certified as a SAFe 5 Scrum Master and in Microsoft Azure Fundamentals.

David Carver

Manager, FuelTax & SecureFuel, WEX

David Carver is a highly experienced professional in the fuel industry, working at WEX Inc as the manager for their FuelTax and SecureFuel products since 2008. His wealth of expertise and dedication to excellence has been instrumental in advancing WEX’s mission. David also plays a vital role in industry-wide initiatives, currently serving on the boards of North American Transportation Services Association (NATSA) and the Steering Committee for IFTA’s Industry Advisory Committee. His extensive experience, unwavering commitment, and innovative approach make him a crucial asset in the evolving transportation field.

Jane Clark

Senior Vice President of Operations, NationaLease

Jane Clark serves as the Senior Vice President of Operations at NationaLease, bringing nearly 15 years of dedicated service to the organization. In her current role, she oversees Member Services, including Reciprocal Service, Purchasing, Meetings, and National Account Support. Jane strategically manages resources, cultivates strong member relationships, optimizes costs, and fosters collaboration within NationaLease supporting groups. Prior to joining NationaLease, Jane served as the Area Vice President for Randstad, showcasing leadership in the recruitment services industry. Her professional journey also includes management roles with QPS Companies, Pro Staff, and Manpower, Inc.

Jane holds a Bachelor of Arts in Communication from North Central College and a Master of Arts in Communication from Northern Illinois University, reflecting her commitment to continuous learning. Her proven leadership and strategic vision contribute significantly to NationaLease's operational efficiency and the delivery of exceptional member services.

Andy Figueroa

Senior Director of IT, TCI Leasing/Rentals, a NationaLease Member

Andy Figueroa is the Senior Director of IT at TCI, a leader in the transportation industry. With over 20 years of experience, Andy has been instrumental in driving technological advancements within the company. Starting from the ground floor, he has steadily worked his way up, demonstrating a passion for technology and leadership. Andy holds multiple professional certifications, including MCSE, MCSA, CompTIA, and has expertise in Python coding.

Outside of his professional achievements, Andy has been happily married for the past 13 years. He is also an avid guitarist, enjoys ocean fishing, and loves camping. He lives by the philosophy: "Be your best and live every day like it’s your last."

Matt Fitzjerrells

National Sales Leader, Wells Fargo Equipment Finance

Matt Fitzjerrells has been a Senior Sales Leader for Wells Fargo Equipment Finance and GE Capital for nearly 20 years with experience across floorplan, retail finance, and equipment leasing. Fitzjerrells has now brought his passion to the NationaLease member network to establish a more programmatic approach to lending that offers preferred national account pricing across the NationaLease network. Fitzjerrells, along with Wells Fargo Equipment Finance, continue to be a consistent presence in the commercial vehicle industry promoting industry needs all while maximizing the lending prowess of a national bank.

Jerome Fons

Commercial Vehicle Dealer Finance, Wells Fargo Equipment Finance

Jerome Fons leads the Dealer Finance team for Wells Fargo Equipment Finance’s Commercial Vehicle Group focusing on the inventory and equipment financing needs of commercial truck and trailer dealers and lessors.

Stuart G. Hoffman

Senior Economic Advisor, The PNC Financial Services Group

Stuart G. Hoffman is senior economic advisor for The PNC Financial Services Group. In this role, Hoffman works with PNC clients to provide expert analysis and forecasts for national, regional and global economic and financial trends.

Prior to being named to his new role in April 2017, he served as PNC’s chief economist and was principal spokesperson on all economic issues. Hoffman has been recognized as one of the most accurate economic and interest rate forecasters in the prestigious Wall Street Journal economic survey covering the 1988 to 2016 period.

Hoffman joined PNC in 1980 after a six-year tenure with the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta. He became vice president and senior economist for PNC in 1987 and was elected senior vice president and chief economist in 1991.

He has been frequently quoted in The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, Financial Times and Barron’s. He was a regular guest on CNBC and Bloomberg TV. In addition, he was regularly interviewed by the Associated Press, Reuter’s news wire services and NPR.

Hoffman is past president and lifetime member of the American Bankers Economic Advisory Committee, which meets regularly with the Federal Reserve Board of Governors chaired by Jay Powell. He also serves on the board of directors of The Economic Club of Pittsburgh, the local chapter of National Association for Business Economics (NABE), and VisitPITTSBURGH. Hoffman is a member of the University of Cincinnati Foundation board of trustees.

Hoffman is a 1971 graduate of Pennsylvania State University. He received a master's degree in 1973 and a doctorate degree in economics in 1975, both from the University of Cincinnati, where he was a Charles Phelps Taft Memorial Fellow. In 2004, the University of Cincinnati honored him as a Distinguished Alumnus and in 2011 presented him with The Carl Lindner Award for Outstanding Business Achievement.

Richard J. Leibfried, ARM

President, RJL Insurance Services

Richard Leibfried has been an insurance professional since 1976. In his current position with RJL, Leibfried provides insurance and risk management consulting services to the middle market business community. Acting essentially as a “part-time” risk manager for his clients, Leibfried brings both traditional as well as innovative, proprietary risk management strategies to these companies. Leibfried’s experience is extensive. As an underwriter, broker and consultant he has been involved in the design, evaluation, and ongoing management of insurance programs for a wide range of businesses. Additionally, Leibfried has been directly involved in the formation and management of nine captive insurance companies as well as a variety of other self-insurance arrangements for his clients.

Andy Juster

CEO & Licensed Life and Health Agent, Business Administrative Consultants

Andy is an experienced business owner, leader and mentor who operates with a high degree of integrity. His previous business achieved “INC 500″ status in 1988 and 1989. His unique consulting approach is derived from 17 years as a successful business owner and 14 years in the payroll services and employee benefits industry. He believes in supporting clients by providing them multiple options and suggesting the best solution from those options. Most of his clients are long-term clients working with Andy for over 10 years. Andy has over 17 years in the PEO business and 9 years at the largest PEO in the country at the time - Gevity. He ranked in the Top 3 Presidents Club every year out of over 125 salespeople.

Glen Kedzie

Principal, Energy & Environmental Strategies LLC

Glen serves as a Principal at Energy & Environmental Strategies LLC in Tysons Corner, Virginia where he strategically navigates clients through the myriad of complexities involving transportation public policy and regulatory and legislative development in the areas of energy, environment, sustainability, and technology at the state, federal, and international levels.

Glen served as Assistant General Counsel and as Vice President, Energy & Environmental Counsel for the American Trucking Associations based in Washington, DC for over 22 years. While there, he managed ATA's highly-respected energy, environmental, and sustainability practice and spearheaded its legal, regulatory, and public policy agenda; advocated on Capitol Hill and before federal agencies; counseled clients on complex matters involving alternative fuels, tax, up-stream/down-stream energy issues, and compliance with federal and state environmental laws; and lead industry efforts in decarbonizing the transport sector.

In his role with TRALA, Glen will strategize with TRALA's government relations team to determine how TRALA's members should traverse the coming changes to the trucking industry as it moves away from diesel and toward alternative sources of power. TRALA will utilize his expertise to help lobby CARB, EPA, and other entities with respect to environmental matters.

Mike Lyles

IT Director, Maxwell Leadership

Mike Lyles is an international keynote speaker, author, and coach. He is the Head of IT with Maxwell Leadership, an amazing company founded by leadership expert, author, and speaker, John C. Maxwell.

Mike has over 30 years of experience in IT, coaching, mentoring, and building successful teams with multiple organizations, including Fortune 50 companies.  As a Maxwell Leadership Certified coach and speaker, Mike’s “purpose” is to inspire others with value-based leadership and growth principles and to serve others in their journey toward significance and success.

Mike has traveled to dozens of countries and hundreds of events to share his experiences with thousands through keynotes, workshops, and other special events.

Mike is the author of the self-help motivational book, “The Drive-Thru Is Not Always Faster”.

Govindrajan Mudaliar

CEO, Savitriya Technologies

Raj is the visionary CEO of Savitriya Technologies, where innovation meets industry. With a career spanning over two decades, Raj has become a pioneering force in the IT services sector, transforming how businesses operate in today’s digital-first world. His leadership is characterized by a deep understanding of technology's potential to revolutionize industries, and his work has consistently pushed the boundaries of what's possible.

At the helm of Savitriya Technologies, Raj has spearheaded the company's expansion into niche domains, including automotive technology, travel management, Sales, Multivendor Marketplace Ecommerce and Outlet Management Solutions for large retail chains. His approach is anything but conventional. Raj believes that true innovation arises from understanding the unique challenges of each industry and crafting solutions that not only solve problems but also unlock new opportunities.

Raj's approach is deeply rooted in a passion for technology and a commitment to pushing boundaries. He believes in leveraging the latest advancements, such as artificial intelligence and machine learning, to create transformative solutions that deliver real-world impact. His leadership has fostered a culture of innovation at Savitriya Technologies, where creativity and collaboration are at the core of every project.

Outside of his professional life, Raj is an avid traveler and a food enthusiast, always eager to explore new cultures and cuisines. His personal interests fuel his professional creativity, allowing him to bring fresh perspectives to his work. Raj is also dedicated to mentoring young professionals, believing in the power of education and innovation to shape the future of technology.

Jennifer Rocci

Retirement Plan Counselor, Capital Group

Jennifer Rocci is a divisional retirement plan counselor at Capital Group, home of American Funds, covering Atlanta, the Carolinas and Central Florida. She has 20 years of industry experience and has been with Capital Group for four years. Prior to joining Capital, Jennifer worked as an internal wholesaler for DC/DB plans at OneAmerica and was a financial advisor/IAR for many years. She holds a bachelor's degree in mass communications from California State University, East Bay. She also holds the Chartered Retirement Plans Specialist® designation. Jennifer is based in Atlanta, Georgia.

Derek Saunders

Associate Vice President of Security, Geotab

Derek’s wide-ranging background includes over 25 years of experience in Security and Information Technology. During the course of his career, Derek has accrued rich knowledge in security processes related to the financial, government, automotive, telematics and business process outsourcing industries. His vast skill set helps the Geotab Operational Security team maintain proper protocols around cybersecurity and maintain the strong level of trust our customers have in our solutions.

At Geotab, with certifications in ITIL and as a CISSP, Derek runs Cybersecurity Operations, Cybersecurity Incident Response, Product Security, Security Research, Information Security Risk and Compliance and their Government and Commercial Security Services teams.

Gary Scharf

Global Head of Key Accounts & Market Leader for North America, PMI

Gary Scharf is the Global Head of Key Accounts and Market Leader for North America at PMI. In this role, Gary leads PMI’s partner success teams, working with clients at an organizational level to attract, retain, and upskill employees for achieving project success.

Prior to joining PMI, Gary led sales and delivery teams in the IT services sector, serving clients in the healthcare, financial services, insurance, and technology industries. His experience spans multiple sectors, where he has consistently supported organizations in achieving their goals.

Ryan Schreiber

Chief Growth Officer, Metafora

Ryan Schreiber has lived his career at the intersection of transportation and technology. As the Chief Growth Officer at Metafora, Ryan leads growth strategies that leverage the company's strengths and taps into new opportunities for both the company and the industry at large. Ryan’s commitment to the transportation and logistics industry is evident through his authorship for publications such as FreightWaves and Journal of Commerce and through his additional work as an angel investor and advisor to multiple logistics and freight tech businesses. Ryan has made substantial contributions to Metafora's progress and growth, including building partnerships, expanding services, launching new products, developing marketing strategies, and serving as a subject matter expert.

Byron Simpson

Member Programs Manager, NationaLease

Byron is the Member Programs Manager at NationaLease, where he oversees relationships between NationaLease members and their suppliers. He advises members on optimizing their purchase programs to enhance operational efficiency. Byron holds a B.S. in Business Economics from Florida A&M University and has a diverse professional background spanning over 27 years in the insurance industry.

His career in insurance included roles in underwriting, training, and sales management across the U.S. Before joining NationaLease, Byron owned and operated a Nationwide Insurance agency in Cleveland, OH. His exceptional service earned him several Conference of Champions awards, and he contributed to strategic initiatives as a member of both the Regional and National Agents' Advisory Boards.

In response to the recent pandemic, Byron relocated back to his hometown of Chicago to be closer to family and pursue new career opportunities. He joined CH Robinson as a Carrier Sales Representative, marking his entry into the transportation sector. Byron's success in this role led him to his current position at NationaLease.

Byron resides in Chicago with his wife and enjoys a vibrant family life with their wonderful blended family of four adult children.

Cara Swank

Chief Financial Officer, TCI Leasing/Rentals, a NationaLease Member

A St. Louis native and graduate from the University of Missouri Columbia with a BA in Accountancy, Cara Swank has always had her head in finance and her feet planted firmly in business strategy. Since her early days as a Senior Associate at Coopers & Lybrand, Cara has been passionate about cost management, the power of metrics, and engaging leadership to ensure businesses operate at their fullest potential.

Throughout her career, she has provided oversight for all aspects of Finance, Accounting, Supplier/Inventory Management, Customer and Sales Fore Support Team, and IT function, delivering comprehensive and actionable financial and operational reporting to drive aggressive and profitable growth.

As Chief Financial Officer for TCI, Cara is focused on and dedicated to collaborating with her team to create meaningful and deliberate long-range strategies while developing the tactical plans that need to be executed to achieve those strategies.

Married for over 30 years with her 3 children grown and pursuing their own passions, Cara spends her time away from TCI outdoors, listening to live music, hiking, traveling, and island hopping in Abaco, Bahamas whenever she can.

Dean Vicha

President, NationaLease

An industry leader with over 30 years of experience, Dean Vicha's success in the truck leasing industry comes from the principals of personal responsibility, unrelenting perseverance and confidence focused on the growth of the customers, members, and business partners of NationaLease.

Vicha began his career with NationaLease as a National Account Executive for the Midwest in 2005, where he substantially grew the National Account Program to more than $447 million in term sales. In 2008, he became Vice President of Member Services, executing a strategy that provided a sustainable competitive advantage to NationaLease members and growing the membership base. In 2010, Vicha became the Vice President of National Accounts, leading that team to a record-breaking year in sales. In 2012, Vicha was named President of NationaLease, where he helps members increase their market share and decrease their cost of business. In the last decade, he has grown the company in terms of size and scope. Today, NationaLease has more than 1,000 locations and a fleet count of over 184,000 throughout the United States and Canada.